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Bed buying checklist

Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Night's Sleep

Forty Winks team member using a tablet to help a customer choose a mattress.

Forty Winks is here to help

A new bed is more than a new mattress. It's the pillow under your head, the protector keeping it fresh, the quilt keeping you the right temperature, the base underneath and the room around it. Get every piece right and you'll sleep better for years. This checklist takes you through it step by step, starting with the most important decision: your mattress.

Start with Forty Winks bedMATCH®

Before you start lying on mattresses, let Forty Winks bedMATCH® do the hard part. Forty Winks bedMATCH® assesses your body and recommends suitable support levels, giving you a smarter shortlist to start from. It takes the guesswork out of a wall full of mattresses, so you spend your time trying the ones most likely to suit you.
Forty Winks bedMATCH® (opens in a new tab)

Choose the right mattress size

As a rule, choose the largest mattress your room can comfortably fit. Your mattress should be 10 to 15cm longer than the tallest person sleeping on it, and couples should look at queen or king for room to move without disturbing each other. Not sure what will fit? Use our interactive bed size guide to check your mattress size against the size and layout of your room for ultimate confidence in the best size for you
Mattress size guide (opens in a new tab)

Find your ideal mattress feel

There's no single best mattress feel. Everyone's body is different, and so is what they need for a great night's sleep. Mattress feels range from Ultra Firm through Firm, Medium and Plush to Ultra Plush, and each brand defines them a little differently. So yes, it can get confusing. That's where Forty Winks comes in. Your body weight, shape and personal comfort all play a part. Check out our mattress feels guide for a clearer explanation of each feel. Then take Forty Winks bedMATCH® and let a trusted Sleep Advisor help you find the feel that's right for you.
Mattress feel guide (opens in a new tab)

Test it properly, with a little help

Give every shortlisted mattress at least 10 to 15 minutes. Lie in the position you actually sleep in, not the one that looks best in store. Bring your partner if you share a bed, and bring your own pillow if you want the full picture. You don't have to do it alone. Our trusted in-store Sleep Advisors help Australians find the right mattress every day. They'll walk you through your Forty Winks bedMATCH® results, explain the differences between mattresses in plain language, and help you narrow the shortlist down to the one. No pressure, no jargon, just expert advice so you can buy with confidence.
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Choose the right pillow

Your pillow should keep your head and neck in line with your spine. Side sleepers usually need a higher, firmer pillow, back sleepers a medium profile, and stomach sleepers a low, soft pillow. A new mattress can change how your old pillow feels, so review it at the same time. Forty Winks bedMATCH® also has pillowMATCH so you can be fitted for the ideal pillow at the same time as finding you ideal mattress
Shop pillows (opens in a new tab)

Protect your investment

A new mattress is an investment in years of better sleep, so protect it from day one. A mattress protector is a must. It keeps your mattress clean, fresh and hygienic, guarding against spills, sweat, dust mites and allergens that can build up over time.

It also protects your cover. Stains and marks on a mattress can void the manufacturer's warranty. A mattress protector is also required to be eligible for the 90 Night Comfort Guarantee on selected mattresses. Skip the protector, and you could lose the very cover you're paying for.

It's a small price to pay to protect a big purchase. Choose a protector that matches the depth of your mattress for a proper fit. One that's too tight can make your mattress feel firmer than the one you tried in store. Not sure which size you need? A trusted Sleep Advisor can match the right protector to your new mattress. Shop mattress protectors

Shop mattress protectors (opens in a new tab)

Pick your quilt

Choose your quilt by warmth and fill. Lightweight quilts suit warmer climates and hot sleepers, while heavier quilts suit cooler climates. Many people use a lighter quilt for summer and a warmer one for winter. A mattress topper can add an extra layer of comfort once everything's in place
Shop quilts

Choose a bed frame, base or adjustable base

Your mattress needs the right foundation to perform at its best and last as long as it should. There are three main options:

  • Bed frames set the style of your room, from upholstered and timber to storage and gas lift beds.

  • Mattress bases give your mattress a firm, even foundation. Choose a base made to suit your mattress.

  • Adjustable bases raise your head and feet at the touch of a button, for reading, watching TV or simply getting comfortable. Check your mattress is compatible first.

Consider height too. A bed that's too high or too low can make it harder to get in and out.

Shop frames & bases

Complete your bedroom furniture

Finish the room with furniture that works as hard as it looks. Bedside tables keep essentials within reach. Tallboys and dressers add storage without eating floor space. Mirrors and blanket boxes add the finishing touches. Measure your room first and leave at least 60cm of walking space around the bed.

Shop furniture

FAQs

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